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Superstar Gareth Gates to star in Footloose the Musical at HMT

Worldwide smash hit musical Footloose: The Musical will burst back onto the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre next June with singing sensation Gareth Gates in a starring role.

The inaugural Pop Idol runner-up, who went on to sell more than five million records worldwide, will play the part of Willard in the iconic stage show which starts a week-long run at the city centre theatre on Monday, June 20, as part of a major UK tour.

“I have been so lucky to perform in some of the greatest musicals over the years, from Joseph to Les Misérables and Legally Blonde, and I am so excited that Footloose will be my next,” says Gareth.

“It’s such a high energy show full of incredible dance and music, and this brand new tour is going to be a fresh and exciting new take on it.

“I can’t wait to bring the show to Aberdeen; we’re going to absolutely blow the roof off His Majesty’s Theatre next June!”

After the first Pop Idol series in 2001/2002, Gareth’s version of Unchained Melody sold over a million copies in the UK and is the third best-selling single of the Noughties. He is also the youngest ever-male solo artist to debut at No1.

His successful stage career includes Les Misérables, Legally Blonde and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Last year, Gareth appeared in the final series of Dancing on Ice, and joined boyband 5th Story as part of ITV’s second series of The Big Reunion, touring arenas with bands including Blue and Five.

Based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose: The Musical tells the story of city boy Ren, who has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren breaks loose and soon has the whole town up on its feet.

“This is a new production of an amazing musical, bursting with youthful spirit, dazzling dance and some fantastic numbers from the 80s, including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let's Hear it for the Boy and of course the energetic title track Footloose,” said Aberdeen Performing Arts press manager Joyce Summers.

The soundtrack album from the 1984 film ended the year-long reign of Michael Jackson’s Thriller at number one and went on top album charts all over the world, eventually selling in excess of 17 million copies.

Footloose was nominated for a Golden Globe, and both the title song and Let’s Hear It for the Boy received Academy Award nominations. Footloose: The Musical first opened on Broadway in 1998 where it ran for 709 performances, with a London production following in 2006, opening at the Novello Theatre following a UK Tour.

Further casting is to be announced has still to be announced and tickets for the HMT run are available online at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, by phone at 01224 641122 and at Aberdeen Box Office at the Music Hall and His Majesty’s Theatre.

Footloose: The Musical has music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and is adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. It is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. It is directed and choreographed by Racky Plews (American Idiot, West End). It is produced by David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree for Sell A Door Theatre Company and Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment. It is presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe. More information is available at @FootlooseTour